Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19; Luke 1:1-23 | While much of society has already pushed on to Christmas, as the church, we intentionally begin the season of Advent: a season in which we hold the tension of the weariness of our lives and our world with the hope that God will restore all things to wholeness. To hold both weariness and hope is challenging. And, to wait, and to watch – especially and perhaps most profoundly in silence – isn’t easy. And yet, as evidenced by Zechariah after he receives a message from an angel, this time of waiting and watching has the potential to transform us as we pay attention to what God is doing in our midst. So, as we begin this holy season, and as we ponder how a weary world can rejoice, join us as we acknowledge our weariness, as we acknowledge our need for God’s restoration and redemption, and as we prepare ourselves to receive with joy the promise that God has in store for us.
Sunday, December 3, 2023, First Sunday in Advent Bulletin
Copyright acknowledgments: Music covered under Augsburg Fortress License #SB135131, CCLI License #1141706, One License #738128-A. Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. Prelude: Ave Maria. Text and Music: Johann Sebastian Bach. Text and Music: Public Domain. Gathering Song: Now the Heavens Start to WhisperText and Music: Mary Louise Bringle. Text and Music: © 2006 GIA Publications, Inc. Covered under One License subscription. Hymn of the Day: Weary World Rejoice (Silent Night). Text: Anna Strickland. Music: Franz Xaver Gruber. Text: A Sanctified Art LLC. Music: Public Domain. Offering Song: Unexpected and Mysterious. Text and Music: Jeannette M Lindholm. Text and Music: © 2011 Hope Publishing Company. Covered under One License subscription. Communion Song: Weary Traveler. Text and Music: Andrew Jacob Pruis, Jordan St. Cyr, Matthew West. Text and Music: © 2021 BEC Worship (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC) This Little Fire (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC) Combustion Five (Admin. by Me Gusta Music LLC) Combustion Four Point Five (Admin. by Me Gusta Music LLC) Third Story House Music (Admin. by Me Gusta Music LLC) Remaining portion is unaffiliated. Covered under CCLI subscription. Sending Song: Awake! Awake, and Greet the New Morn. Text and Music: Marty Haugen. Text and Music: © 1983 GIA Publications, Inc. Covered under One License subscription.
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